Decoding and character forming means for high speed recorder



AAW 7 1956 w. F. w. VON GLAHN 2,757,604

DECODING AND CHARACTER FORMING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED RECORDER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 26, 1955 INVENTOR. V/LLIAM F- W l/o/v GLAHN ATTORNEY Aung., w56 w. F. w. VON @LAAN 2,757,604

DECODING AND CHARACTER FORMING MEANS FOR HIGI-I SPEED RECORDER Filed Aug. 26, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /l/.L/AM /ON GLA/11N jm m ATTORNEY wg.. 1956 w. F. w. VON GLAHN 235796@ DECODING AND CHARACTER FORMING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED RECORDER Filed Aug. 26, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 50 Fac-n.6

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DECODING AND CHARACTER FORMING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED RECORDER Film Aug. 26, 1953 5 sheets-sheet 4 Fue. H CAM UN\T\ /MEMORY OR STORAGE UNIT v R I El? X I @X v o H E@ v l E* i 2 @2 a 3 l E3 4 y E4 Y v '5 i E5 6 l @6 i' 7 l Q7 a l @8 9 ANALYZEQ 'AND AMDLFIER from CODE SIGNAL IN V EN TOR.

A T fom/5y ug.. 7, 1956 w. F. W. VON GLAHN 2,757,504

DECODING AND CHARACTER FORMING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED RECORDER -Eiled Aug. 26, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIC-...B4

SLIDE SENS/NG BAH.

SELECTOR FOLLOWER PR//V T @E5 TORER L/DE RESET BAR 90 l IIZIZIISIZL'ZOISC'BZ! IIS ,5A-190 109 i414 )8O 216 252 288 324 360` 36 72 ma. l5

ZONE AREA STORING ELEMENTS BL R X O Sp 81. O-`

l A J knun/1eme zero 2 2 B K s NUMERIC AQEA 3 3 C L T sTomNG ELEMENTS 4 4 D M U 5 5 E N V e e F o vv 7 7 e D x a s H o Y 9 s R z INVENTOR.

United States Patent O DECODING AND `CHARACTER.FRMING S FOR HIGH SPEEDRECRDER William F. W. 'Von :Gl-abn, WalleyfStream, JN. Y., asn signor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, iMichW-a cor poration of Michigan Application August 26, 1953,Seria1 No. 376,734

`7 Claims. (Cl. lill- 93) This invention relates 4to improvements in :recording ,machines and has particulaireferenceito.a machine nwherein a plurality `of recording elements may be selected to form and `record a desired character.

Selective character-,forming recordingtmachines arethe .coming increasingly popular because lof their ability :to produce highquality work athigh speeds. There `have been developed machines of this `character .which will #attain .extremely high operating speeds and which arelwell vsuited for installations where `the Workload isiexceptionally heavy. These priormachines, however, `are `so .designed that they are apt to `bextoo expensiveandxbulky for .use

.in other :situations where the `volume `of work `is `:not

.quite lso large and Where the cost and size of the .installer tion accordingly mustlbe-kept within `certain limits. Gon- ,sequently,tthere is aistrong `demandat .the present time for `a selective character-forming recording machine which .has a satisfactorily highspeed ofoperation and whichat the same time will fulllthe more stringent Vrequirements as to cost, size and simplicity of construction.dictatedby the available market. Applicants presentinventiondeals .with thesolutionof this particular problem.

The size, complexity Vandcost of a character forming .recorder will `depend to a considerableextent .uponthe ,desigma'ndconstruction of the decoding `andcharacter Vvforming means employed therein. The :function fof 4the `means just mentioned is to `convert the codedinpnt data .tocharacter patterns `which .can readilybe manifested `by .therecordingelements. In :those cases' Where the record- `ing machine must have an .extremely thigh output grate, .the decoding `and character forming means is.likely to be .a rather .expensivelpart of themachine. This .c anibejustified .byfthe `enormouslyheavy work loads `whichthetma- .chine will be called upon to handle inservice. However,

l.in thosesituations Where theanticipated `Work,1oads.are

.not .quite so heavy, competitive conditions `will .require tthatrelativelyv more emphasis be 4placed .uponi economical construction,` but without ,undulysacricing speed.

`An `object .of the present invention is ttoprovideamim- .provided'decoding and character forming means `which can be built at a sufticientiy `low cost land which Ywill function at a sutliciently high speedto meet competitive .conditions where the Work loads ,are only moderately iheavy.

Afurther object is to provide a mechanical decoding .andcharacter yforming means `constructed `of p. parts `that .are'teasy to manufacture andassemb1e `and which vare rugged and `dependable in service.

`Still another object is to provideamechanical decoding .and charactenforming means operatingon a novellever principle which avoids the disadvantages .of prior me- .chanicaldevices used `for the same purpose.

.Otherobjects of the invention will'bepointed outiin `the `following description andclaims and illustrated in.,the .accompanying .drawings which disclose .by Way `of `eX- .ampleVtheprinciple of .the invention .andtthenbesrmolde `7. which .has .been contemplated of ,applying .that principle.

In the drawings:

machine.

ICC

Fig il is `a partial perspective view of a section of a machine constructed `in accordance with the principles of .the iinvention, certain portions of this machine being broken .away to :facilitate illustration ofthe essential feattllrBS,

iFig. 2 is a `front elevation of a portion `of the section as shown in Fig. il without the actuating `unit `and `with the storageielements R and l inthestoring oroperative positions,

'lig..3.is.tattop .view ofthefour zone or combining memnbersandtheirestoring bail for the storage elements as seen in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4ais.asidetview of ,Fig. 2 showing the normal posi- `:tion of the sensing rbails andthe storage slides,

.Fig A5 is a` plan viewof theiimpositively operated blank `and/or the special character `storage slide shown `in its extended position,

fFg. 6 ,isgatop planiview` ota positivelyoperated storage islide, qthestorage Lunit sensing bail, the restoring bail .and `the zone .or :combining members,

Figs. 7 and Stareafsidetand bottom viewrespectively .of the storage slide shown iin Fig. 6,

tFig. 9 is .a view of onetof .the coded slides taken Lon .line B-B Lof Eig..2,

,Fig 10 is ,a -view showing Ya preferred embodiment 4of .the actuator unit,

.Fig 1.1 is aschematic diagramportraying a 4methokof analyzing data `from ;a record card `and Qhow the Vinput signal is transmitted `to the storage elements of .the Inachine,

Fig. 12 discloses a lmatrix layoutiof Athe recording head andthe numbering `of the recording elements, Whilelig.

Y13 shows a `matrix oi' the recording yelements for the `letter A,

`Fig. `14 is `a chart showingthe relative timingof ,the the principal parts of the machine,

Fig. 15 is a chart showingshow the zene ,data storing elements combine `witlrthe numericdata storingtelements to `determine the `characters to be recorded.

For want of a better ,description thel phrase recording machine `will `betused throughout the application to in clude such analagous devicesaspunching, marking and printing machines.

To enable` a ,clearunderstanding of `the principle of operation only one .of `the many similiar sections .of Athe machine is shown inthe` drawings. This section haslbeen arbitrarily divided intona storage or memory unit, a decodingor information combining unit, a transfer `or char- .acter forming unit` and a recording element actuator unit.

` tionand understanding of;the ,machine At itimes :the

section will be referredto as the machine Vonthe recording Oneof these `sections will be required foreach ,character to be recorded. `The ldecoding unit tand the character forming unit, together with certain parts of the memory unit in some instances, may be referredto` collectively as the .decoding .and character formingimeans of the machine.

The recording machine of my invention is designed to operate on information or data derived from a punched record card. `The machineis intended to operate `onithe numeric .and zone `code system wherein the numeric and zone information `or data taken from a record is stored in the storage or memory unit. `ln the `storage or memory unit there is provision ,for storing `both numeric .and zone information or data. This information is subsequently utilized by `the decoding unit. The

0 information` or datatwhich is stored in `both the numeric 2,757,604y Y f.

. novel method of analyzing data from a single column of a record card with the data being passed on to memory or storage unit of the recording machine. For the sake of clarity, only one such analyzing unit is shown. However, it must be understood that there will be as many of these units as there are columns on the cards to be analyzed. In Fig. 1l the memory or storage unit is caused to operate by current coming from an amplier unit through a cam unit consisting of cam operated switches. For example, each of the positively operated storage or memory units are shown in Fig. ll as being connected to both an amplifier unit and a cam unit. The cam unit is connected in time relation with the feed of the record card C so that at predetermined periods throughout each cycle of the sensing operation, each one of the cams will make a circuit with its corresponding storage element. The cam unit may be a single element having a plurality of insulated conductors, such as a distributor or it may consist of a multiplicity of cams as shown. The card C is fed in predetermined time relation through an analyzer device consisting of sensing brushes B and contact roller R, the feeding time of the card being the same as that of the timing of the cams. As the card C passes between the sensing brush and roller, the brush will be raised from the roller to prevent the tiring of an amplier tube T. When, however, the brush 4encounters a perforation P in the card, the brush and roller will complete a circuit to re tube T. The tiring of tube T will coincide with the closing of the contact whose cam movement corresponds in time relation to the perforation on the card to complete the circuit to the proper storage element. Thus, if the perforation P on the card is to designate the printed character numeral l, the timed feed of the card C through the analyzer, and the timed closing of the contact 1 by the movement of the cam 1 in the cam unit, will coincide to complete the circuit in one direction through the sensing brush B, roller R, tube T to the storage element 1, and in the other direction through the closed contact 1 to the storage element 1. In this manner any number of storage elements in each column may be operated to store information. If there are two perforations P in a column on the card, as each perforation passes through the anayzer the corresponding storage elements allocated to the column will be operated in the same manner as described above.

Fig. 14 shows tive principal parts charted in timed relation with the feed of the record card through the machine. The designation Perforations on the chart refers to the respective times when perforations at the correspondingly numbered index points on a record card may be sensed as the card passes through the machine. Reference will be had to the chart Whenever it is believed that it will aid in the description.

Storage or memory unit The storage or memory unit is divided into two distinct sets or areas of storing elements namely zone elements BL, R, X and O, and numeric elements SP and 1 to 9 respectively, see Figs. l and 2. In the zone set or area there are four storing elements, three of which are positively operated and the fourth or blank storing element BL, is impositively operated. In the numeric set or area there are ten storing elements of which those numbered 1 to 9 consecutively have means for positively operat- 4 ing the elements whereas the tenth or special character storing element SP, is impositively operated. The positively operated zone elements O, X and R and the positively operated numeric elements 1 to 9 inclusive receive their signal from the analyzer (Fig. ll), which may sense a perforation in the record card in either the O, X or R positions, or in any one of the l to 9 numeric positions or any combination thereof. As described above, when a coinciding signal is received from the cam and amplifier unit by a positively operated storage clement, the storage element is then caused to operate.

The positively operated storage elements or slides O, X, R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are all basically similar in structure, therefore, a description of any one of the elements will suiiice for all (Figs. 6, 7 and 8). The storage element or slide is mounted in a housing 2t) which is in turn fixed to a portion of the framework (not shown) of the machine. Held to the housing 2i) as by an adjusting screw 21 is an electromagnet 22 which receives the coinciding signal from the cam and amplifier units. Pivotally mounted as at 23a is a pivoted latch 23 attracted by the magnet 22 in opposition to the pull of the spring 24, which spring is hooked to the housing at 25 and to the latch at 26. Latch 23 has a hook portion 27 which cooperates with a catch 2S on thc slide 29. Slide 29 is slidably guided on the housing by posts 30 while limiting means 31 on the slide limits the sliding movement of the same. Spring 32 normally in expanded position is hooked to the housing as at 33 and to the slide as at 34. On the underside of the housing is a residual ram 35 guided by posts 36 and spring urged outwardly by spring 37 attached to the housing as at 38 and to the ram as at 39. Extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing is an abutment 4t) which is attached to the residual ram. The abutment 4i? is intended to abut the tapered surface 41 on the latch 23 so as to overcome any residual magnetism which might tend to hold the latch 23 in engagement with the electromagnet 22 after the electromagnet has been de-energized.

When the electromagnet 22 receives the signal from the amplifier unit and the proper switch in the cam unit is closed, the latch 23 is drawn toward the electromagnet to release the hook 27 from engagement with the catch 28. Spring 32 urges the slide 29 outwardly from the housing toward its data storing position. When it is desired to move the slide back to its inactive position such as shown in Fig. 6 a restoring bail RB, described later, positively abuts the slide and moves the same back into the housing. Occasionally, residual magnetism tends to hold the latch 23 against the electromagnet 22 in opposition to the pull of spring 24. To avoid this condition and to insure that the hook 27 will always engage the catch 28 at the proper time, the member 40 on the residual bail is positioned so as to momentarily come into contact with the angular surface 41. The restoring bail during its full slide restoring movement abuts against the residual ram 35 to move the member 4i) against the surface 41 and to overcome any residual magnetism which may tend to hold the latch 23 to the core of the electromagnet 22. The residual ram as seen in Fig. 8 normally is spring pressed forward to abut a plate 42 on the housing 20, thus the ram is retained in the normal position as shown in Fig. 8. When the restoring bail abuts the ram 35, the ram moves only a sufcient distance against the pull of spring 37 and away from plate 42 to permit the member 40 to come in contact with the surface 41. As the restoring bail moves back away from the slide and ram, the ram also moves back and is limited in its backward movement by the plate 42.

The impositively operated storage elements, namely, the blank storing element BL and the special character storing element SP, are structurally similar to the positively operated storing elements as described above, except for the fact that the impositively operated storage elements have no electromagnetic or latch operating means. The

`term impositively is not intended to 'be one of art;

`itis used here in an attempt to `describe the absence of positive operating means such as used in the `positively operated storage elements. lnFig. there is shown an Aimpositively operated-storage Velernentin which the slide `29ais guided on the housing Ztlarbetween thegposts 30a,

lwhilestop 31a limits `the outward movement of the slide.

Actuating spring 32a is connected to the housing at V33a and to the slide at 34a. As shown in 'Fig. 5 the slide is now in its extended or storing position. There need be no residual ram such as thatshown in the positively operated storing elements since there is no electromagnetic or latch action utilized.

Situated in front of the storing elements are-two sensing -bails 45 and 46, see Figs. l, 2, 4and 6. Eachbail cooperates with and is `individual to a set of storage elements. Eachbail has engaging means for engaging certain of the storing elements in each set and blocking means for blocking the storing of data in certain of said storing elements. The zone sensing bail 45 is provided to cos f.

operate with the zone storing elements BL, O, X and R `by the provisions of teeth 45-O, 45X and 45R, and -`blocker or abutment 45'BL. The numeric sensing bail 46 is very much similar to the zone sensing bail in that it has teeth numbered consecutively from 461 to 469 inf -clusive cooperating with the numeric storing elements 1 to 9 and a blocker or abutment 46SP similar to the abutment 45BL cooperating with the special character storing A43 and to the numeric sensing bail 46 by spring 49 to reciprocate the bails in a predetermined timed relation (Fig. lll) with the feed of the record card. Cam fol` lower 47 reciprocates in response to the Vrotation of cam shaft 59 and cam 51 and remains in contact therewith by virtue of spring 52.

To enable the machine to record the required selection of characters, data from both the zone and numericportions of a record card will have to be stored in the storage or memory unit of the machine. This may be vseen more clearly from the chart in Fig. 15. If .the character A were to be recorded the record card would-have a perforation in the R line in the zone portion of `theicard and a perforation in the l line lin thefnumericportion of the card. ln another example, if it were desired tto record the numeral l both the numeric storing `element 1 and the zone storing element BL will have to operate (Fig. At this point it will be remembered-that the storing element l of the numeric set is positively operated upon the receipt ot` a coincidingsignal from the .cam and amplier units whereas the storing element BL `and ini cidentally storing element SP are impositively operated. Since the present record card has provision for only three perforations in the zone area and nine in the numeric area, means are provided on the sensing bails to determine when the impositivcly operated slides will be operated to store data.

The blocker 4SBL on the zone `sensing bail `and .the blocker46SP on the numeric sensing bail are normally in blocking relation with respect to their impositively .op-

erated slides lBL and SP respectively. When the 4cam follower 47 is reciprocated by cam 51 the ysensingbails 45 and 46 have a tendency by virtue of their springs `43 and 49 respectively to reciprocate with the camfollower to uncover and unblock the storage slides `BL and SP. However, as seen in Fig. 14, the slide sensing bails do not reciprocate nor become effective until after the last perforation in the record card has passed throughthe analyzer unit, or until all the positively operable storing slides have had an opportunity to have Jbeen operated. Thusif any of the positively operated slides in each of the CII -sets has been operated, the impositively `operated slide in that set will not operate,.as will be explained.

Looking at the zone set of storage elements in "Fig, l it will be seen that if either ofthe zone storing sli'des R, X or O are operated the operated slide wi'll'be moved out into the path of the zone sensing bail by spring "22. Assume then, 'for example, that the R storing slide ha'd been operatedas in Fig. 2, the tooth R would engage and catch under the slide as the zone bail reciprocated with the follower 47 to halt the upward movement of' the bail 45. The cam follower `47 would continue on its upward reciprocating stroke landthe spring 48 interconnecting the bail 45 and follower 47 would be expanded `to permit the halting of the bail and the continuedupward reciprocation of thefollower. The halting'of the bail 45 by the storing slide R insures the continued block- .ing of the zone storing element BL.

As previously noted, if the numeral l were to be recorded both the zonestoring slide BL and the numeric storing slide 1 (Fig. y15) would have to be operated. Since, of the two slides, the only positively operated-slide would bethe numeric set storing slide ll, there would be a perforation in the l line in the numeric portion of the record card. The numeric sensing bail 46 would then follow the.samegpatternasthat described for halting the zone sensingbail at the R storing slide except, however, thatthe numeric sensing bail 46 will be halted by the tooth 461, and while the interconnecting spring A49 will expand, andtthe follower 47 will' continue its reciprocation, the impositively operated storing slide SP will be blocked by the numeric sensing bail blocker 468i). Here, however, the operation of the zone sensing bail in therecordiug of numeral l'will be diiferent fron-that previously-described when the zone set slide R was `indata storing position. Since none of the positively operated zone `storing elements R, X or O willlhave been pulsedinto data `storing operation, the zone sensing bail45 will're ciprocate with the follower 4"7-unhalted in. its reciprocating movement. As the bail 45 reciprocates upwardly, Lblocker 45BL also rnioves up and out oflilocking engageement with the slide BL permitting the spring Ii2atomove 4the slide outinto data storing position.

The above description of the manner 'by which `the impositively operated slide BL in the set of .zone datafstoring elements is `permitted to store datais'tbesame'with `respectto the slide SP in the set of `numeric dataestorin elements. lf none of the positively operated storage slides in the numeric set are properly signalledthe numeric sensingbail 4d reciprocates up and out of blocking engagement with the data storing slide SP. 'Ifnone of the positively operated data storing slides in the zone `set are `properly signalled, the `zcnebail 45 reciprocates upand out of blocking engagement to uncover thierdata Vstoring siidc El.. When both the impositively operatednunteric slide SP and the impositively operated `zone slide "BLare in data storing position `a space will be provided in the line of recording (Fig. l5). This space resultslfrom'the absence ofperforations in the column of the recordcard being sensed. As will be obvionslatenitis possible, if desired, to utilize the combination of the impositively operated storing elements to record a character.

When during the cycle of operation it is desiredto reset the slides ofthe storing elements, a storage `element restoring bail generally designated RB is actuated. The restoring bail reciprocates in timed relation with the'feed of the record card to'simultaneously restore `the data storing slides from their data storing position to their normal inoperative position. The restoring bail consists of a cam bail follower 5S which slides on and is reciprocated by the cam 56 on cam shaftiO. Connectedto the bail follower as by blocks 57 is a ride plate '58 Vwhich has an aperture therein (not easily visible intFig. l). The purpose of the aperture is to admit a bail 59 to move widtliwiserelative tothe rideplateS. Bail@ hasa ride roller 60 at its upper portion, the roller beingpermittedto `62 and to the bail 59 at 63.

aref/,co4

ride on and relative to the plate 58, but reciprocating therewith. Employed to guide the bail movement is .a `link arrangement. Intermediate the ends of the bail 59 1s a link 61 pivoted to the machine frame at its 'one end at Attached to the lower portion of the bail is link 64 pivoted to the frame at 65, to

.the bail 59 at 66, and yieldingly connected again to the frame by spring 67. t

As the bail follower is reciprocated by rotatmg cam 56, ride plate 58 and roller 60 reciprocate also; however, lbecause of the link arrangement (61, 64) the bail 59 will move not only in a path approximating the vertical movement of the ride plate, but also forward toward the data storing elements. The aperture in the ride plate, as mentioned previously, permits vthe widthwise movement of the bail forward of and relative to the plate. The downstroke of the bail follower is aided by the yielding action of the spring 67. The forward movement of the bail is sufficient to reset all the positively operated slides so as to be held in inoperative position by their respective latches 23 and to actuate the residual ram 35. The impositively operated slides are reset behind the blockers on their respective sensing hails as the sensing bails reciprocate back down into blocking position (Fig. 14).

Decoding or information combining unit The portion of the machine arbitrarily denominated as the decoding means or information combining unit consists of at least one movable or reciprocable combining means. The combining means or zone bars BL, 71-0, 72X and 73k are shown as four in number, each combining member being provided to cooperate with a respective zone data storing element. For example, the combining member MBL will cooperate with only the blank data storing element BL, while the member 71-0 will cooperate with only the O storage element in the Zone set, and so on for the members 72X and 73R.

Cooperating with and mounted on the combining members for movement with and pivoted relative thereto are a plurality of distincly operative sets of data receiving means or coded parts. The parts on each combining member are divided into zone and numeric sets to coact and to receive from the proper Zone and numeric data storing elements the data stored therein. The receiving parts have means at their forward ends to receive data from the storing elements and means at their back ends for translating the data for a purpose to be described.

The zone set of receiving means consists of four parts in the form of short levers respectively designated 74BL, `715-0, 76X and 77E, Figs. i and 2, which parts are shown in Fig. l as being staggered in height. Each one of the four parts is pivotly mounted on a different combining member to permit the combining member on which it is mounted to receive and to be responsive to data stored in only one of all of the zone storage elements. Hence, the part 74BL is mounted on combining member or zone 4bar 70BL to permit the zone bar to operate in response to the operation of storage element BL when data is stored therein. Similarly the parts 75"-0, 76X and 77R are pivotly mounted on zone bars i1-O, 72X and 73K respectively to cooperate with storage elements O, X and R respectively.

The numeric set of receiving means or coded parts are similar in structure and operation as the corresponding parts of the zone set. However, in the arrangement of the parts in the numeric set each combining member or Zone bar has a coded part in the form of a short lever pivotly mounted thereat for cooperating with each of the numeric data storing elements. lt has been believed best to nurnber the numeric set of receiving parts so that they will have as a prefix the two digits of the zone receiving part `on the same combining member and as a su'iiix the designation of the numeric data storing element with which it is to cooperate. In this manner the numeric set of parts on the zone bar IDBL which has zone receiving part 74BL will be identified as 74SP, 749, 748, 747, 746, 745, 743, 742 and 741. In a similar manner the numeric set of parts on zone bar 71-0 having zone part 75-0 will be identied (but not shown in the drawings) as 75SP, 759 to 751. The same is also true for the numeric set of parts on .zone bars 72X and 73R. The parts on bar 72X will be identied as 76SP, 769 to 761 while the parts on bar 73R will be identied as 77SP, 779 to 771 (Fig. 2).

A means in the form of a selector follower 78 is provided for cyclically operating the decoding unit. Attached to the follower' 78 is a spring 79 which retains the follower in constant engagement with cam 80 to permit reciprocation of the follower in timed relation with the feed of the machine. A plurality of means such as the openings or apertures 81 (Fig. l) are staggered to coincide with and to accommodate the translating ends of the receiving parts 74BL, 75-0, 76X and 7"/R of the zone set.

The arrangement of the zone parts on the combining members or zone bars is such as to permit one of the bars to become operative only when its corresponding Zone data storing element is in data storing position. This is also true, of course, of the arrangement of the numeric data storing elements. Thus, if zone data storing slide R and numeric data storing slide 1 are in data storing position when follower 78 reciprocates upwardly, the follower tends to pivot the Zone parts about their pivots on their respective Zone bars. The zone bars are yieldingly retained against a common stop 82 by springs 83 which are attached to the frame of the machine. The R data storing slide will prevent the pivoting of the cooperating part 77R thereby insuring that the zone bar 73k will move upwardly with the follower 78. As the bar 73K moves upwardly the numeric part 771 will, at its data receiving end cooperate with and be engaged by the numeric slide 1. The engagement of the part 771 with the slide 1 and the continued upward movement of the zone bar will cause the part 771 to pivot clockwise about its pivot for a purpose which will be obvious ater.

This is the manner by which the data in the Zone data storing elements and the numeric data storing elements is received by the Zone and numeric receiving parts and placed in or combined by the combining member to which the parts are attached. it is diflicult to deiine specically when the actual combining function is said to occur, however, it may be said to occur between the time when the selector follower moves upwardly and when the data is transferred by the translating ends of the numeric data receiving parts to the character' forming unit. While the operation of only the R combining member or Zone bar 731?` has been described it will be obvious that the zone data receiving parts on the other zone bars will operate in the same fashion as described above when their respective Zone data storage elements are operated. The same is true also of the numeric data receiving parts.

Data transfer or character' forming unit A data transfer or character forming unit or means is designated generally by the numeral 35. This unit is responsive to or conditioned by the operation of the combining means in the decoding portion of the machine. The unit selectively operates selecting means to select Certain of the recording elements for recording.

The transfer unit 85 consists of groups of relatively spaced, parallel moving crossbars 86. The crossbars are spaced in groups to form four vertical columns and ten horizontal rows. Pivotly connected to eacn individual crossbar 86 as at 87, and pivoted te the frame at 6 is a crank means 89. The crank means or member 89 operatively connects each crossbar 36 to a data receiving part in one of the two sets of said parts. For reasons to be described later, all but one of the crossbars are connected to individual crank members S9. The crank crossbars 11a-aaneen `Irlemhers are initurn connected with thetranslating :ends '.Of'fthe `numericzsettof idatareceiving parts `and are `opferated .in `response 1 to fmovenzent thereof.

When the part7'l1 (Fig. .2) `tabuts the `slide 1 at-its receivingendfwhile itstzoneabar .731?. is moved upwardly,

fthe crank memberf89.connectedto thei translating end of .theireceivingpart '771will .pivot about the pivot :88 to lift itsassociated .crossbaiz Also pivotly mounted at its `one endto thefrgameasat-90 `isa link I91 which is pivotly ,connected at 92 to lits associated crossbar wat itsother end. The `corrxbined pivotal'mountingof link 9i and `crank-89.combine uponthe movement ofthe crank to .movelthe associated crossbariupwardly in parallel motion.

Combs 93 areiprovidedito-guide and retain the crossbars in proper alignment. Two of thesei combs `are shown in Pig. 2 while for clarity only one is shown in ang. .1.

ASlide means `or members 94 are mounted to coopA V,erate with .thecrossbars (Figs. "l, 42 and9). 'ifhere are .35 .of these .slides=one.for each recording elementin the v.recording head 4(see `Eig. 4l2). :Each slide `has .a selectively arranged .means on parts `9:3', selectively. engageable with.and.selectively operated by theirnovable crossbars.

Defined in the slides area plurality of openings 96 in `which .some .of the crossbars are accommodated and `through .which thecrossbarspass. The bottommost row nected pivotly to the link 98 as at 101st/bile its other end has a slide-connection-with a latch 102.

"In each recordinghead, for every character forming slide 94, there is a recording element 103. The lower en'd of the recordingelernent is set into and retained in a holder "1'04 as by any suitablelmeans `105. Toguide the recording element at the time it is being moved to recording position, a tail 106 is also fastened tol holder '104 by means 105. .In some cases itis possible for thetail 106 and holder 104 to be one member. The tail 106 is'mounted in thefrarne 107 to be slidably guided therein. In the normalpositiom ,holder 10'4 rests upon a shoulder formedby' the frame 107.

Actuator unit Situated hehindtthe recordingelementsitsnatplate 1103. QIhe gplate -is common .tof/'all aof the recording elements. Timed rotating-shaft 50,hasutwo cams `109Mand'110 fixed toiit. The cam 109 is rsoformed las .totpositivelytmove thefactuatoriplate 10S into recording "position, t asrforisex ample, by way of fpivoted link *111. (3am -1101is :so formed as to positively return Ithe :actuator iplate i108 from recording position, ias ffor texample, :by the pro vision ofY contacting roller Y11-2.

.Gooperatingactuator link 1111 is pivoted at itsione end` tothe frame107- ande abutsi a surface 113 ati its other end. The surface 1.1-3 tmay .be formed as a part-of the actuator plate r10S or maybe: ai separate'velement attached thereto,.as.shown. .Intennediatethe endsof `theilink 111 issurface -111-4tcooperating with the cam1109. A spring 1151s fattachedat -its one :end `tothe link i111, Land at its otherfendto `the-frame107 `to Vurge the. link upwardly andinconstant engagementwith surface l113'. lTheipos itive `return roller .112 .is .mounted .in -the loweraguide portion 116 which may be .formedasa `partof .the actuatoriplate `-or it 4may .be a separate Velement r attached thereto.

.'Fonnedtasfapartof the actuator platelis .alsoa second guilde, portion-117 twhichacts inexactly thetsame manner as.fthe, guid,e1ortionl16. .Fittedin-both the 4guide. portions-1.1.6 and ..117 vare cross guide members 118twhich "mayfbe partofthe frame 1107. Abail 119,commonfto all oflthe latches `1102, istprovidedo be engagedlbythe selected latches. Afstraighterfer or stitfener is-formed as part of the plate 1108 to give strength to the isame. Resiliently urging `the latch `from engagement with `the common bail 119tis a spring 121 fastened at its oneen'd to the latch 4102 at its other end tothe frame.

,The dataitransfer or characteriforming unitoperates in conjunction with the lactuator `unit in the following manner. Assuming that the data receiving part 771 is to transmit the data stored in theiR Zone slide and the numeric slide 1, then .the crank 109 cooperating with the `datareceiving part 771 will operate `inresponse 4:to the translating 1 movement 1 thereof. .about its pivotithe associated crossbar l86 moves'up- As Vthe .crank '89 `pivots wardly in a parallel motion. Each oneiofrthe 35 Aslides 94 which 4has selective parts 9S arrangedto engage .the crossbar 86 during its upwardmovement,\will be actuated. The movement ofthefslides 94.soiactuated `willihein an upward direction such that the link 98 -will t cause `the arm 99 to pivot about the rod 100. As arm 99 pivots, its topmostlend which engages-in `a slot inthecrank `102,

`moves the crank102 againstthe opposition of thespring 121 `into engagement with the `actuator bail 119. This selectively connects the associated.recordingelements 1103 `with the actuator plate 100. As.theshafttl'rotatesythe :highiportionionithe cam 109,cooperates with the v`surface `114 to movelthelink 1111 upwardly. This, initurn, posi- Atively moves thetactuator plate i108 and its latchedirecordingelements 103 to recording position (.see lFig. 14).

Similarly, afterthe `elements have been moved `into recordingiposition, the cam `110 cooperating twith the roller `112 positively returns the actuator plate 108 and its as- .isociated recording elements tfrom recording position.

column. Itis a reset bar and isidentitied by numeral 122. `The reasonfor this is to permit easy resetting of the `slides 94 and to` permit the disengagement of the nlatches `102fromthe bail J119. Asicanhe seenin Figs. :l` and `2 the vreset bar 122 is attached .to a link 1123 at its one uend and at its other end to a link 124. A springt cooperates withrthe `link 124 and with the `reset bar =122. During the recording operation the spring 1251s ,expanded `as the ;reset bar moves Aupwardly :with `the .selected slides `94. After the recording cycle `has been completed and the actuator `plate 108 has `been positively returned .'fromxrecording position, the spring V1.25 `urges the treset `bar to its normal position as shown in lFigs. `1.a11d2. .Eachiofthe slides Y9lhas a part 126 which isiso formed as'tolcooperateiwith theresetbar. `ln this manner when thespring :125 `urges `the :reset .bar -to :its `normal position lthe bar-encounterstheparts `126 on` each oftheslides and Vpositivelymoves each `of the `slides to normal position. The `spring '121 then is enabled to move and to yretain the llatchlZ from engagement with the bail 119. The position of spring i121 may be changed, but in itspositon as shown itmay be usedto resettthe slide 94. Thiswould makeit possible todo awayiwith parts `1226 and usefthat portiony ofthe slides for `character selection'purposes.

`Explanation of Fig. :15 is important. In Fig. `15 it will be` seenthat-the letter O:results from data storedinthe zone areat storing .elementX andthe numeric area Astoring element 6. The numeric lZero O resultsfrom data vstored in the zone area storing element .0 land `.the numeric areat'storing element SP. ln actual use of the machine it fhas vbeen desirable thatiitbe done in this manner. Itis possible, `if necessary, .to modify `the arrangement and utilize either `the letter O or .the numeric `Zero interchangeably. This would permit the addition of another character. Similarly fromthechart in Fig. `l5 it will be seen that thecombination ofthe zone areastoring element BL andthe numeric area storjingelement SP do not combineito .produce anycharacter. This is s o because the recording.

reset bar 122 is not connected by a crank 89 to the data receiving part 74SP. This arrangement performs the function of enabling a space to be provided in a recorded line wherever it is so desired. As was noted previously, however, this too can be changed. A crank 89 could be substituted for the link 123 to allow for still another character. In such a case all that would be required would be the addition to the slides 94 of selectively arranged parts 95 to cooperate with the reset bar 122.

Slide coding The coding of the selectively arranged means or parts 95 on the slides to determine how the slides may be selectively operated by the crossbars may be understood by reference to Figs. 12, 13 and l5. The determination of the placement of the parts 95 on the slides is relatively simple. Each crossbar 86 has a predetermined character which it is to select for recording. The parts 95 are arranged on the slides to come into contact with or to be engaged by the selected crossbar as it is moved by its crank.

Let us assume for the sake of example that letter A were to be recorded. In Fig. l5 it will be seen that the data in the zone storing element R and the numeric storing element 1 must be combined by the zone member 73R. The data so combined is transmitted by receiving part 771 by way of crank 89 to the associated crossbar 86 which is in the first or front column in the last or bottom row. As the crossbar moves upwardly it must move certain of the slides 94 to record the mosaic of the letter "A as shown in Fig. 13. In 1Eig. l2 each of the recording elements of Fig. i3 are designated by a number counting from 1 to 35. Upon co-relating Figs. l2 and l3 it will be obvious that the recording elements involved in the letter A are 6, i1, 16, 21, 26, 31, 2, 17, 3, 18, 4, 19, 10, 15, 20, 25, 3i) and 35. Thus, if each one of the slides 94, which are connected (as by the linkage 98, 99, 102, 106 and 104) to the correspondingly numbered recording elements are provided with parts 95, then only those slides having the parts 95 in the vicinity of the crossbar will cooperate with the crossbar when it is moved.

The method of determining how the slides may be coded can be modified to suit certain specic requirements for recording characters and symbols other than those shown in Fig. l5.

[n practice, as the crossbars move upwardly they engage and move with them the coded parts 95 of the slides. The slides which are moved then interconnect the proper recording elements with the actuator to be moved to and from recording position, This practical arrangement may be modified. ln some instances it may be desirable to have all the recording elements normally engaged with 'the actuator. ln such case the coded parts, the latch linkage, and the movement of the crossbars will be modified so that those recording elements which are not required for recording will be disconnected from the actuator upon movement of the crossbars and the slides. Only those recording elements permitted to remain in engagement with the actuator will then record.

As has been recited previously the invention now enables the construction of a smaller more simplified mechanical recording machine accomplishing the same functions as those which utilize larger more expensive electronic counterparts. The sections one of which is shown in Fig. l may be lined horizontally next to each other to provide as many characters or symbols in each recording line as may be desired. They may be conveniently backed up to one another to provide multiple lines of All this is easily facilitated because of the narrowness of the section, its smallness in both height and length, and the compact arrangement of its elements. Moreover, because of the ability of the section to store two types of data, to decode the two types of data, to transfer the decoded data and to record the same all in this unitary structure, its space and electrical input requirements are relatively small. Inasmuch as the data storing, decoding, transferring and recording or actuating functions are performed by each section, if a section should cease to function properly it may be replaced quite easily by a new or different section.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. In a machine for recording characters selectively under the control of coded zone and numeric input data, apparatus for decoding said input data and forming patterns of the characters which are to be recorded under the control thereof, said apparatus comprising a plurality of zone members each individually movable in a given path, a plurality of first lever elements respectively carried by said zone members, there being one of said first lever elements for each of said zone members, a plurality of sets of second lever elements respectively carried by said zone members, there being one set of said second lever elements for each of said zone members, each of said first and second lever elements being pivoted between its ends upon its respective zone member, means for imparting movement to one end of each of said lirst lever elements, selective blocking means responsive to the zone input data for restraining the other end of any selected one of said first lever elements thereby causing the zone member on which the selected first lever element is pivoted to move, selective blocking means responsive to the numeric input data for restraining one end of any selected one of said second lever elements pivoted on said zone member thereby to produce a pivoting movement of the selected second lever element as its zone member moves, a plurality of individually settable devices respectively associated with the other ends of said second lever elements and each adapted to assume an operative position in response to a pivoting movement of its second lever element, and combinational pattern forming means controlled by said settable devices to form patterns representative of characters which are to be recorded in accordance with the selective positioning of said settable devices.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim l, wherein each selective blocking means includes individually operable slides one for each of the lever elements associated therewith, each of said slides being movable between an effective position in which it restrains its respective lever element and an ineffective position in which it has no engagement with its lever element.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein each selective blocking means has devices for causing certain slides to operate in response to given input data designations and for causing one of the slides to become effective in the absence of such data designations.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said individually settable devices comprises a bar supported for parallel motion in response to pivoting movement of its associated second lever element, and said combinational pattern forming means includes a plurality of slides having selective interengagement with each of said bars to be actuated thereby in a manner representing a distinctive character pattern.

5. In a machine for recording characters selectlvely under the control of coded input data, apparatus for decoding said input data and forming patterns of the characters which are to be recorded under the control thereof, said apparatus comprising a member movable in a given path, a plurality of lever elements carried bysaid movable member, each of said lever elements being pivoted between its ends upon said movable member, means for imparting movement to said movable member, selective blocking means responsive to the coded input data for restraining one end of any selected lever element thereby to produce pivoting motion of said selected lever element as said member moves, a plurality of settable devices individually associated with the other ends of said lever elements and each adapted to assume an operative position in response to pivoting motion of its respective lever element, and combinational pattern forming means controlled by said settable devices to form patterns representative of characters which are to be recorded in accordance with the selective positioning of said settable devices.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said selective blocking means includes individually operable slides one for each of the lever elements associated therewith, each of said slides being movable between an effective position in which it restrains its respective lever element and an ineffective position in which it has no engagement with its lever element.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said selective blocking means has devices for causing certain slides to operate in response to given input data designations and causing one of the slides to become effective in the absence of such data designations.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said individually settable devices comprises a bar supported for parallel motion in response to pivoting movement of its respective lever element, and said combinational pattern forming means includes a plurality of slides having selective interengagement with each of said bars to be actuated thereby in a manner representing a distinctive character pattern.

9. In an apparatus for decoding an input data representation consisting of a zone bit combined with a numeric bit, a plurality of movable zone members one for each available Zone bit, a plurality of zone levers each pivotally connected to a respective one of said Zone members, means for turning each of said zone levers about its pivot on its respective zone member, first selecting means responsive to the zone bit of the input data representation for causing a selected one of said zone levers to fulcrum on a stationary point, thereby imparting movement to its respective zone member as it turns, a plurality of sets of numeric levers each set being carried by a respective one of said zone members, with the numeric levers of each set being pivotally connected to their respective zone member, second selecting means responsive to the numeric bit of the input data representation for causing a selected one of said vnumeric levers to fulcrum on a stationary point, thereby causing the selected numeric lever to turn about its pivot as the selected zone member moves, and a plurality of individually settahle devices one for each of said numeric levers and each responsive to turning motion of its respective numeric lever for registering a character represented by the combined zone and numeric selections.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,056,391 Daly Oct. 6, 1936 2,076,713 Ford Apr. 13, 1937 2,076,717 Fuller Apr. 13, 1937 2,111,122 Mills Mar. 15, 1938 2,524,127 Johnson Oct. 3, 1950 2,632,386 Hyland Mar. 24, 1953 2,653,534 Wockenfuss Sept. 29, 1953 

